Supported lodgings

If you have, through offering supported lodgings you can provide a stepping stone to independence for a young person leaving the care system, or at risk of homelessness. 

Supported lodgings are when people and families (sometimes called “hosts”) offer to rent a room to a young person in need of accommodation, or who may be leaving care. It’s a unique opportunity to provide a safe and supportive home environment for a young person aged 16-25 as they transition into adulthood.

Lots of young people who leave care feel they haven’t been able to learn the practical skills they need to live independently. As one young person told us as part of some research we carried out, “There should be a […] course for care leavers where they can learn how to change a lightbulb [and], learn where to store food in the correct places.” (Barnardo’s, 2021). That’s where you could help by providing a supported lodging host. You could provide a caring home where a young person can learn every day, practical skills while offering them guidance and emotional support.

You’ll help them build their resilience and self-esteem, so they have the confidence and feel equipped to tackle adulthood. You’ll also help with practical things like:

• Getting into education, training or work.
• Learning to budget and managing their money.
• Developing their cooking and domestic skills, like cleaning and laundry.

You might also need to attend appointments with them to provide moral support if they need it. However, you won’t have the same legal responsibilities as a parent or foster parent. 

Supported lodging hosts come from all walks of life. You can be single, living as a couple, with or without your own children (and pets!). You can be working full or part-time or not employed, a homeowner or renting.

You need to have a spare room that could be a private bedroom for a young person. You’ll need to provide references, pass criminal record checks and have your home assessed so we can make sure we’re offering the young person a safe environment. You also need to enjoy helping young people and be open to supporting people from different backgrounds.

If you're a good listener, patient, flexible, understanding and willing to offer guidance you could make a positive difference to a young person’s life.

Before you welcome a young person into your home, we’ll ask you to complete some training covering topics such as safeguarding, equality and diversity, as well as health and safety. We’ll also offer ongoing training while the young person is living with you, so you feel confident and ready to help a young person thrive.

You’ll work alongside a dedicated support worker who’ll be there to offer advice and help you address any challenges. We also provide a 24/7 helpline, so we’ll be there for you around the clock.

To help you cover the costs of hosting a young person you’ll also receive financial support from us as weekly payments. We’ll also ask the young person staying with you to contribute from their own money towards the cost of food and/or utilities. This is to give them practical experience of money management and making regular payments.

If you’re interested in giving a young person a stepping stone to independence, or have more questions about being a supported lodging host, your local team would love to talk to you.